This is a daily series telling the story of the tombstones of people
who are historically important and interesting as they relate to the
Battle of Gettysburg. The series runs through July 4, marking the 150th
anniversary of the battle.

By Joe Farley, Joe Farrell and Lawrence Knorr

David McMurtrie Gregg was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was the first cousin of

David Gregg monument (Lawrence Knorr)

future Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1855. While a cadet, he came to know J.E.B. Stuart who was a year ahead of him. When Fort Sumter was attacked, Gregg was called to Washington and assigned to the cavalry. He soon became the colonel of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The 8th Pennsylvania took part in the Peninsula Campaign, particularly in the Seven Days Battle where they served as a screen between the Confederates and the retreating Union Army. He was at Antietam but cavalry played a minor role.

In early June of 1863, the Federal Cavalry was again reorganized and Gregg was made commander of the 2nd Division. As the Confederate troops moved north into Pennsylvania, his division engaged them at Aldie (June 17), Middleburg (June 18-19) and Upperville (June 21). Gregg’s division arrived in Gettysburg mid-day on July 2 and took up positions to protect the right flank of the Union Army. On July 3, Gregg’s division along with General Custer’s brigade met J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry in what is now called “East Cavalry Field.” A lengthy mounted battle - including hand-to-hand combat - ensued. Stuart was blocked from achieving his goals. Gregg led his cavalry division in almost two years of hard fighting after Gettysburg, including the Battle of Yellow Tavern where J.E.B. Stuart - his friend from West Point - was killed, dealing the Confederacy a severe blow.

Knorr had a personal connection to the subject matter; he's a
relative of Union Major General John Reynolds, who died on the first day
of battle. The three of them collaborated on this latest version of
Keystone Tombstones. As you will see with this daily feature, there were
no shortage of interesting stories to choose from, since the Battle of
Gettysburg produced 7,600 Confederates and Union soldier deaths and
51,000 casualties.

Over the course of the next 18 days, leading up to the anniversary of
the battle at the beginning of July, Knorr, Farrell and Farley will
introduce a Gettysburg 150 "Tombstone of the Day". The post will look at
are tombstones of residents, soldiers, generals and other historically
significant individuals.